© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Complementary and Alternative Medicine PowerPoint® presentation to accompany: Medical Assisting Third Edition Booth, Whicker, Wyman, Pugh, Thompson

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 44-2 Introduction More than 30% of adults use complementary and alternative therapies Relieve problems Promote wellness No relief from traditional treatments Some physicians use a combination of CAM and traditional therapies

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 44-3 What Is CAM? A group of practices and products that are not part of conventional medicine Allopathy – conventional medicine or common and usual practice Complementary medicine – used with conventional medicine Alternative medicine – used instead of conventional medicine

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 44-4 What Is CAM? (cont.) Scientific evidence concerning safety and effectiveness Available for some CAM therapies Research continues so information changes Integrative medicine Evolves as CAM therapies are adopted by conventional medicine Combination of both

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 44-5 Types of CAM Shared similarities Individualized treatments, good nutrition, and preventative health practices Holistic Promote self-care and self-healing Recognition of one’s spiritual nature Categories Alternative medical systems Mind-body interventions Biologically-based therapies Manipulative and body-based methods Energy therapies

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 44-6 Types of CAM: Alternative Medical Systems Evolved apart from conventional medicine Homeopathic medicine Treating syndromes and conditions with remedies that produce similar syndromes and conditions in healthy people Remedy Produces the symptoms it is given to treat in order to stimulate the body’s natural defenses to heal itself Must meet FDA standards

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 44-7 Homeopathic medicine Looks at individuals, not diseases Initial in-depth assessment Follow-up – how they are responding Medical assistant role Similar to other medical offices Have knowledge of common remedies Types of CAM: Alternative Medical Systems (cont.)

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 44-8 Naturopathic medicine Relies on the healing power of the body to establish, maintain, and restore health Primary health care Nutritional / lifestyle counseling Dietary supplements / medicinal plants Exercise Homeopathy / traditional Chinese medicine Types of CAM: Alternative Medical Systems (cont.)

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 44-9 Naturopathic medicine Medical assistant – understanding of treatments Traditional Chinese medicine Balanced qi (vital energy) Flow of qi along meridians (energetic pathways) Acupuncture – insertion of hollow needles along meridians Ayurveda – provides guidance regarding food and lifestyle; India Types of CAM: Alternative Medical Systems (cont.)

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Types of CAM: Mind-Body Interventions Enhance the mind’s capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms Support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy now part of traditional medicine Scientific support Placebo effect – WW II 35% of therapeutic response is due to belief

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Most commonly used forms of CAM Types Prayer Yoga Meditation Hypnosis Biofeedback Types of CAM: Mind-Body Interventions (cont.)

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Types of CAM: Biologically-Based Therapies Use substances found in nature Dietary supplements Herbal products Foods Medical assistant Keep up-to-date about dietary and herbal products Be able to provide reliable resources for patients

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Dietary supplements Manufacturers –> no evidence of effectiveness or safety No standardization to ensure consistency and quality Types Vitamins Minerals Herbals – no established recommended daily amount Recommended daily amount established by the FDA Types of CAM: Biologically-Based Therapies (cont.)

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Patient education for using supplements Report all supplements as they would prescription medications Take supplement bottles to appointments Document patient’s use of supplements in the medical record Types of CAM: Biologically-Based Therapies (cont.)

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Types of CAM: Manipulative and Body-Based Methods Based on the manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body Types Massage therapy Chiropractic manipulation Reflexology Alexander technique Bowen technique Craniosacral therapy Feldenkrais method Rolfing Trager bodywork Tui Na

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Massage Pressure, kneading, stroking, vibration, and tapping to positively affect health Effects Relaxation Counteracts effects of stress Lowers heart rate and blood pressure Reduces pain / relaxes muscle spasms Improves concentration Promotes restful sleep Helps the mind relax Types of CAM: Manipulative and Body-Based Methods (cont.)

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Swedish massage Stimulates circulation and lymph flow 5 basic strokes Neuromuscular massage Release tension, relieves pain and pressure on nerves, and increases blood flow Trigger point therapy Seated massage Focuses on back and neck Types of CAM: Manipulative and Body-Based Methods (cont.)

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Chiropractic medicine Adjustments Manual treatments to re-align the vertebra and restore function of spinal nerves Chiropractor Performs an exam and takes a history Tests X-rays Muscle testing Analyzes posture Types of CAM: Manipulative and Body-Based Methods (cont.)

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Types of CAM: Energy Therapies Bioeletromagnetic-based therapies Balances the electromagnetic fields of the body No scientific evidence of efficacy Magnetic therapy Most common type Magnets are used to correct disturbances of electromagnetic fields and restore health FDA – no medical value but relatively harmless Avoid for patients with pacemaker or defibrillator

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Biofield therapies Manipulate energy field surrounding the body Reiki Based on qi Visualization and touch balance energy flow to bring healing energy to organs and glands Therapeutic touch “Laying-on of hands” Hands direct human energies to help or heal No scientific evidence of efficacy Types of CAM: Energy Therapies

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Apply Your Knowledge Match to types of CAM: ___ Therapeutic touchA. Energy therapies ___ Chiropractic medicineB. Mind-body therapies ___ Dietary supplementsC. Body-based therapies ___ Yoga and meditationD. Biologically-based therapies ___ TCME. Alternative medical systems ___ Herbal supplements ___ Homeopathy / naturopathy ___ Magnetic therapy ___ Hypnosis ___ Massage E E D D ANSWER: A C C B B A

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Patients Seeking CAM Therapy Use is increasing Less expensive Have fewer side effects More accessible Increase in spirituality Personal growth Environmentalism Preventive health care Reasons for seeking CAM therapy Failure of traditional medical interventions Treat side effects of conventional medicine’s treatments

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Patients Seeking CAM Therapy (cont.) Patients with chronic debilitating conditions Improve quality of life Improve ability to cope with stress and illness Cultural differences in CAM use Hispanics Native Americans Accept patient’s right to choose CAM therapy

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved In Summary CAM is therapy outside conventional medicine Complementary medicine is used with conventional medicine Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine 5 classifications Medical assistant must understand CAM therapies Insurance reimbursement Health fraud